JESENÍK OPEN 2026
Jeseník’s spa-town festival levels up with added clarity for travel, venue, and side events at the JESENÍK OPEN 2026. The classical flagship runs 15-23 August 2026 in two rating groups (A & B), flanked by a Rapid – Memorial Svatopluk Hastík (Fri 14 Aug) and a Blitz Open (Wed 20 Aug). The playing site is the hilltop Congress Hall, Priessnitz Spa (Priessnitzovy léčebné lázně) – a resort venue with multiple halls and capacity for large Swiss tournaments. (Festival dates & groups confirmed on the official site and event hubs; rapid/blitz formats and officials listed on event pages.)
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 14-23 August 2026 (Rapid: 14 Aug, Classical A & B: 15–23 Aug, Blitz: 20 Aug) |
| 📍 Venue | Congress Hall, Priessnitz Spa (Priessnitzovy léčebné lázně), Priessnitzova 20, 790 03 Jeseník, Czech Republic (large congress hall + winter garden halls; up to ~400 theater seats with balcony) |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Groups A & B: 9-round Swiss • Rapid: 9-round Swiss (12’+3″) • Blitz: 12 rounds (3’+2″) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Classical: 90’/40 + 30’ to finish, +30″/move from move 1 • Rapid: 12’ + 3″ • Blitz: 3’ + 2″ |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national rated (all applicable events) |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open festival; groups split by rating per regulations |
| 👤 Officials (festival) | Tournament Director: Pavel Koriťák • Chief Arbiter: Radomír Kolář (rapid/blitz pages list the same team) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Classical Groups A & B: 9 rounds, 90’/40 + 30’ to finish with +30″ from move one; Swiss-System; submitted for FIDE standard.
Rapid (Memorial Svatopluk Hastík): 9 rounds, 12’ + 3″, Swiss; FIDE rapid rated.
Blitz Open: 12 rounds, 3’ + 2″, Swiss; FIDE blitz rated.
Pairings are published online each round; FIDE Laws and anti-cheating rules apply.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Dates | Rounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A (Classical) | 15–23 Aug 2026 | 9 | Higher-rated field; FIDE standard |
| Group B (Classical) | 15–23 Aug 2026 | 9 | Developing/club field; FIDE standard |
| Rapid – Memorial S. Hastík | 14 Aug 2026 | 9 | Festival opener; 12’+3″ |
| Blitz Open | 20 Aug 2026 | 12 | Mid-week blitz; 3’+2″ |
📅 Schedule (at a glance)
| Date | Activity / Round |
|---|---|
| Fri, 14 Aug | Rapid – Memorial S. Hastík (9 rounds) |
| Sat–Sun, 15–23 Aug | Classical A & B (9 rounds across the festival week) |
| Wed, 20 Aug | Blitz Open (12 rounds) |
| (Daily start times are posted with pairings and venue notices.) |
📝 Registration & Payments
Deadline to apply: 10 August 2026 (binding application).
How to enter: Submit via the festival application page or by email to the tournament director (instructions are on the application page).
Payment method: Bank transfer to the organizer (Šachový klub Jeseník). The application page lists the CZK account and IBAN details; entries appear on the start list after payment is recorded.
Notes: Wi-Fi for hotel guests; entries may close early if capacity is reached. Any byes/tie-break details are communicated at the technical meeting and in round postings.
👥 Organizer
Šachový klub Jeseník (Jeseník Chess Club) – experienced hosts of the long-running international festival. The festival homepage provides the proposal (regulations), application form, and live links.
🏨 Venue
All chess activities are concentrated at the Priessnitz Spa campus above Jeseník:
Address: Priessnitzova 20, 790 03 Jeseník
Congress Hall (with balcony) and adjacent halls provide ample capacity for large Swiss fields and side events.
On-site resort facilities include dining, wellness, and multiple accommodation categories.
🛎️ Accommodation (practical notes)
The festival is embedded within the Priessnitz Spa complex, which offers a range of hotel-style rooms and wellness stays.
Players typically book directly with the spa or through the festival offer when listed in the regulations.
Expect on-site dining, Wi-Fi for hotel guests, parking, and family-friendly amenities.
🚗 How to Get There
Train/Bus: Routes via Olomouc or Šumperk to Jeseník; then local bus/taxi up to Priessnitz Spa.
By car: Mountain approach roads to Jeseník; follow signs to Priessnitzovy léčebné lázně above the town.
Air: Prague (PRG) or Katowice (KTW)/Wrocław (WRO) offer workable hubs; continue by rail or rental car.
Other (Festival Extras)
The 2026 proposition includes an additional leisure item on the campus schedule (e.g., a tennis tournament around 22 Aug), underscoring the festival’s holiday vibe alongside tournament play.
Ready for nine classical rounds with scenic views and crisp rapid/blitz bookends? Plan your trip to JESENÍK OPEN 2026 – Priessnitz Spa, Jeseník – and enjoy a well-run summer festival in the Czech mountains.